I earned my PhD degree in protein biochemistry and I have a special interest in the structure and function of membrane proteins. I have spent my career studying biological membranes and the reactions catalyzed by the proteins residing in these membranes. Most of my research efforts have been directed at the thylakoid membranes of higher plant chloroplasts. Many students doing research with me work with spinach thylakoid membranes. These membranes are very convenient because they can be readily isolated from market spinach. I routinely do experiments relating to light driven electron transport and light driven ATP synthesis. Recent student work has led to the development of a luciferin/luciferase assay for ATP synthesized by thylakoid membranes. Other students have been working with the effects of melittin on thylakoid electron transport and photophosphorylation.

Recently I have become interested in the development and use of web based technology to provide students with new learning opportunities. To this end I am interested in working with students to develop web based learning modules that can be used to help other students learn biological concepts. An example of a web based learning module that I have developed is the SDS PAGE interactive animation. Students with interests in both biology and computer programming might be interested in this kind of a project.

Students interested in membrane based or learning based research should contact me to discuss the possibility. Normally students are not able to do this kind of research until they have completed the freshman/sophomore sequence of biology and chemistry courses, but I am willing to consider well motivated students who desire to get started a little earlier.